Jiang Yunshu leaned naturally into Chu Yi’s embrace.
“Your Majesty carries pain in your heart. I know that. You’re enduring it—so why can’t I endure it too?
“I want to share your burden.”
Hearing her words, a trace of gentleness surfaced in Chu Yi’s eyes. He lifted the edge of her robe and saw that her slender waist was mottled with bluish-purple bruises from where he had gripped her.
A flicker of guilt crossed his face. He lowered his head and gently kissed the bruises.
“You silly girl.”
Then, seemingly from nowhere, he produced a small jar of ointment and carefully spread it over her waist.
The cooling medicine felt soothing, though it also tickled.
She couldn’t help letting out a bright, tinkling laugh.
Her laughter was as clear as silver bells, like a refreshing breeze sweeping away the gloom in his heart.
“So ticklish?”
“Mmm… Your Majesty… that’s enough… I’m really hungry…” Seeing his mood improve, Jiang Yunshu began acting spoiled.
Her soft, sweet voice was enough to stir anyone’s heart.
Chu Yi almost wanted to grab her waist again.
It was simply too slender.
One hand was enough to encircle it completely, making it impossible to resist squeezing it.
“Little thing, this is the Imperial Study. Ministers could come in at any moment. Don’t tempt me.”
As if to emphasize his warning, he leaned down and kissed her waist again.
On top of the purple bruises, he left several fresh plum blossom-shaped love bites.
That damned emperor really has terrible taste… Such strange hobbies.
Putting on an aggrieved expression, Jiang Yunshu pouted.
“Then this concubine shall take her leave.”
“Leave?” He pulled her back. “Didn’t you say you were hungry? I’ve already ordered the meal.”
She shook her head and huffed coquettishly.
“I won’t dine here with Your Majesty. Otherwise you’ll accuse me of tempting you again.”
Chu Yi immediately pulled her back into his arms.
“I like it when you tempt me. Be good. I’ll eat with you today.”
“Really?”
“Really.”
As he spoke, he gently pinched the tip of her nose.
Whenever Chu Yi became serious, he rarely touched her improperly. Instead, he would stroke her neck, pinch her nose, toy with her earlobes, or twirl a strand of her hair.
He appeared almost abstinent.
Only those who had seen him transform into a mad beast knew just how wild he could become.
Truthfully, Jiang Yunshu hated it when he touched her neck.
Every time he did, she felt as though he might strangle her.
Perhaps because the neck was the most vulnerable part of a person’s body.
As expected of the emperor’s meals—they arrived astonishingly fast.
Before long, palace servants from the Imperial Kitchen filed into the study, filling a small table with exquisite dishes. Naturally, imperial cuisine was lavish beyond compare.
Wang An had intended to stay and attend to them during the meal.
But seeing Jiang Yunshu’s eyes practically shining with hunger, Chu Yi waved him away, leaving the two of them alone.
Watching Wang An leave, Jiang Yunshu assumed the emperor expected her to serve him.
Reluctantly, she picked up the serving chopsticks—
Only for Chu Yi to place a piece of fish into her bowl first.
“Weren’t you hungry? Eat first.”
Her delight was written all over her face, though she still kept hold of the serving chopsticks.
“If Your Majesty serves me, then naturally I should serve Your Majesty in return. Since you promised to eat whatever I pick for you…”
She selected a piece of abalone and placed it into his bowl.
Truthfully, Chu Yi had very little appetite.
But since Jiang Yunshu had served it to him, he took a bite anyway.
“It doesn’t taste as good as your crystal cakes.”
Her eyes sparkled.
“If Your Majesty doesn’t like it, then I’ll choose something else.”
Not wanting to waste food, she picked up what remained in his bowl and ate it herself.
Chu Yi paused.
“Why are you eating my leftovers?”
The scene stirred memories of his days in the enemy kingdom…
Jiang Yunshu answered matter-of-factly,
“I don’t mind eating what Your Majesty has touched. Don’t ordinary husbands and wives do the same?
“The wife eats her husband’s leftovers…
“And sometimes the husband even eats food from his wife’s mouth.”
She smiled shyly after saying that.
Chu Yi narrowed his eyes.
“Little thing, where did you learn that’s how ordinary married couples live? You even know husbands like eating food from their wives’ mouths?”
“I read it in storybooks when I had nothing else to do.”
She lowered her voice.
“They call it… bedroom fun.”
In truth, she knew far more than that.
As she spoke, she picked up another serving of stir-fried shrimp with jade-green vegetables and placed it in his bowl.
But Chu Yi made no move to eat it.
Instead, he stared at her intently.
She, on the other hand, was genuinely hungry.
Without caring whether he ate or not, she calmly continued eating, savoring each bite.
Only by chewing slowly could one truly appreciate delicious food.
As she happily considered which dishes to try next—the emperor’s cuisine really was exceptional—she remained completely oblivious to the mischievous smile tugging at Chu Yi’s lips.
Only when he suddenly leaned closer did she realize what he intended.
His kiss came without warning.
In an instant, he stole every bit of food still lingering in her mouth.
Jiang Yunshu froze in surprise before lowering her eyelashes.
“Your Majesty… those were only things written in storybooks. You’re the Son of Heaven. How can you…”
“I simply wanted to taste your flavor.”
What a bizarre hobby.
And he didn’t find it disgusting in the slightest.
Half embarrassed and half annoyed, Jiang Yunshu tugged lightly at his sleeve.
“Your Majesty…”
Chu Yi slipped an arm around her shoulders.
“Finish your meal. I won’t tease you anymore.”
She looked at him skeptically.
“Really? You won’t trick me?”
Her phoenix eyes blinked innocently, like a child seeking reassurance before daring to continue eating.
Chu Yi nodded solemnly.
“Really.”
Only then did Jiang Yunshu pick up her jade chopsticks again.
She grabbed a braised tiger-skin chicken claw and happily nibbled on it.
It was so tender the bones nearly melted in her mouth.
Delicious.
Next came the tofu with crab roe.
The silky tofu was topped with real crab roe—not the imitation versions from the future.
Absolutely wonderful.
Finally, she finished with a bowl of soup, thoroughly satisfied.
Chu Yi watched her leisurely.
“Finished?”
She nodded.
“Your Majesty, aren’t you really hungry?”
“No.”
She looked at him earnestly.
“Your Majesty, no matter how others have treated you, you must treat yourself well. Your body was given to you by your parents—you should cherish it.”
As she spoke, she ladled him a bowl of soup.
“May this concubine feed you?”
The sincerity in her eyes made her especially beautiful.
Perhaps everyone naturally loved beautiful things.
He was no exception.
Suddenly, Chu Yi asked,
“What is your name?”
Jiang Yunshu blinked in surprise.
Only then did she realize he was genuinely asking for her name.
With a playful smile she said,
“If Your Majesty finishes this bowl of soup, this concubine will write it down for you.”
“Very well.”
To her surprise, Chu Yi obediently drank every last drop.
Actually, he was only twenty-five or twenty-six years old.
In her previous life, someone that age would have been considered a handsome young man.
Counting her true age, she was actually two years older than him.
Thinking about everything he had endured at such a young age…
She found herself feeling a little sorry for him.
Perhaps he had never truly received anyone’s sincere affection or genuine respect.
Maybe that was why he had become so twisted.
Jiang Yunshu loved life.
She always made each day fulfilling.
Outside of work, she practiced yoga, grew flowers, kept pets, and practiced calligraphy, turning everyday life into something poetic.
Her clerical script was especially beautiful.
She loved Lishu calligraphy.
Its rounded yet structured strokes reminded her that a person should be graceful, adaptable, and capable of navigating every situation with ease.
Steadily, she wrote three characters:
Jiang Yunshu.
When she handed him the paper, Chu Yi had indeed finished the soup.
He accepted the sheet and gazed at the elegant handwriting.
“‘Freshly adorned after the rain, as lovely as a single beauty…'”
His voice softened.
“…Shu’er.”